Toxic oil scam: China pledges death penalty

BEIJING: Chinese authorities have promised death penalty for those involved in the "gutter oil" scam involving unhygienic recycling of edible oil used in restaurants.

"Courts must give full consideration to suspects' subjective malignance, the amount of money involved and the harm done to public and the market when ruling in gutter oil cases. For those deserving death, death penalties must be resolutely given," an official notice said. Authorities have found it hard to control the scam that involves private businesses collecting used edible oils from restaurants and selling it back to them after filtration. Chinese media have been running reports about the unhygienic recycling conditions.

Government officials, who fail to fulfill duties related to oil safety, would also be punished.